Medical Students’ Stress Levels and Sense of Well Being after Six Weeks of Yoga and Meditation
Open Access
- 1 January 2016
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Vol. 2016, 1-7
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9251849
Abstract
Objective. To determine the effect of six weeks of yoga and meditation on medical students’ levels of perceived stress and sense of wellbeing prior to taking their exams. Methods. We conducted a prospective case-control study of first-through-third-year medical students at our academic institution, measuring levels of perceived stress and sense of wellbeing before and after a six-week yoga and meditation intervention. Questionnaires used for evaluation included the perceived stress scale (PSS) and self-assessment surveys (SAS). The postintervention surveys were completed on the day of the students’ written exams. Results. A total of thirteen women and fourteen men participated. Median age was 28 (24 yrs–32 yrs). 48.1% were Caucasian, 7.4% Black, 11.1% Hispanic, 11.1% Asian, and 22.2% other. Paired -tests showed a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress (18.44 versus 14.52; ) after the six-week yoga and meditation program. After the yoga intervention, self-assessment survey results showed a significant improvement in feelings of peace, focus, and endurance. Improvements in happiness, positivity, personal satisfaction, and self-confidence were also seen. An improvement in unsubstantiated parameters such as patience and fatigue was observed. Conclusion. Yoga and meditation may be effective in reducing stress levels and improving aspects of personal wellbeing in medical students.
Keywords
Funding Information
- Weill Cornell Medical College
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- A prospective study using Hatha Yoga for stress reduction among women waiting for IVF treatmentReproductive BioMedicine Online, 2015
- Abridged Mindfulness Intervention to Support Wellness in First-Year Medical StudentsTeaching and Learning in Medicine, 2014
- A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Meditation for Work Stress, Anxiety and Depressed Mood in Full-Time WorkersEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
- Yoga Ameliorates Performance Anxiety and Mood Disturbance in Young Professional MusiciansApplied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2009
- Impact of a short yoga intervention on medical students’ health: A pilot studyMedical Teacher, 2009
- Burnout and Suicidal Ideation among U.S. Medical StudentsAnnals of Internal Medicine, 2008
- Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled TrialJournal of American College Health, 2008
- The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validationHealth and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2007
- Promoting self-awareness and reflection through an experiential Mind-Body Skills course for first year medical studentsMedical Teacher, 2007
- Systematic Review of Depression, Anxiety, and Other Indicators of Psychological Distress Among U.S. and Canadian Medical StudentsAcademic Medicine, 2006